Del Bosque to coach Spain beyond 2012

The Spanish football federation president Angel Maria Villar said on Tuesday that Vicente del Bosque has agreed to continue as national manager beyond Euro 2012.

Villar told Spanish radio that Del Bosque "is looking forward to carrying on, whatever happens at Euro 2012...He is a great person and has achieved historic results for us."

He admitted that a formal contract has still not been signed, but said that: "A verbal contract has the same value as a written contract."

Del Bosque, 60, took over Spain after Luis Aragones had led La Roja to victory at Euro 2008, and guided Andres Iniesta and company to their first ever World Cup triumph in 2010.

Spain qualified for Euro 2012 in superlative style, winning all eight of their qualifying matches.

Villar then responded to the criticism that he has received for organizing five friendly internationals in the Americas - the last one on November 15 in Costa Rica - since winning the World Cup.

"During my presidency," he said, "85 per cent of the friendly matches have been played in Spain, and that was also criticized. Now Spain are world and European champions, and everyone wants to see them play.

"This is exactly what Brazil and Argentina did when they were world champions. This translates into money for Spanish football."

Villar, 61, has been president of the Spanish federation since 1988, which makes him one of the longest-lasting officials in world football. He also a senior vice-president of Fifa and Uefa.

He made it clear on Tuesday that he would like to be elected for a seventh four-year period, saying: "We have to organize elections for next year, and I am looking forward to it."

When asked whether he might be interested in becoming president of Fifa or Uefa, he replied "not at this time."

Villar finished, controversially, by praising embattled Fifa president Joseph Blatter.

"Blatter is a very brilliant and capable man. He is subjected to criticism because he is very good and because he wants to continue in his post and do things for football."